Roger Cicala over at LensRentals has just completed optical benchmark testing of the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM. You can read the entire article for detailed information, but the final few sentences sum up his findings quite well:
"This is a remarkable lens. Canon made the widest full-frame rectilinear lens available, and made it with superb image quality throughout the zoom range. Once again, hat's off to Canon's lens designers."B&H has the Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM available for preorder.
From Nikon:
Tokyo – February 27, 2015 – TOKYO – Today, Nikon Corporation has announced an update to the mobile application for its photo sharing service, Nikon Image Space, featuring a new and improved intuitive design and overall usability improvements. Launched in January 2013, Nikon Image Space is a free photo sharing service designed not only for Nikon digital camera users, but anyone who enjoys capturing still photos or recording videos.
With this update, an improved flat design has been incorporated for iOS (including iPad) and Android apps, optimized for operability in each operating system. In addition to being able to view images in Grid and Map views, a new Flow view has been introduced that displays images larger and enables smooth vertical scrolling when using a smart device, even when scrolling through images stored on a smartphone or tablet. When using on an iPad specifically, a new function is now available for comparing images as well. Overall improved utility and operability, including the ability to background download and upload, cap an impressive upgrade for Nikon Image Space.
Primary Updates to Nikon Image Space
The renewed Nikon Image Space will be available as a free download February 26, 2015 for iOS (including iPads) devices that support iOS 8 or later and Android devices that support Android 4.0 or later.
The wait is almost over...
B&H has enough Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L USM lenses in the warehouse to cover roughly half of the preorders and will be shipping imminently.
A second shipment will arrive early next week and will cover roughly the balance of the preorders.
This is a very highly anticipated lens. If it is on your wish list and you haven't preordered, now would be a good time to do so.
From the ZEISS Blog:
Over the course of time ZEISS has published a lot of interesting technical articles about the physical basics of camera lenses. However, after some years not every article can be found that easily. That’s why we decided to publish them all in one blog post to give you easy access.
Relevant Camera and Lens Technical Articles (PDFs)
Check out Bryan's ZEISS lens reviews for more information on these high quality lenses.
B&H carries Zeiss lenses.
The Canon Digital Learning Center has just posted several videos offering walkthroughs of DPP 4 and EOS Utility 3.
Recently Added Quick Start Videos
DPP 4 and EOS Utility 3 is compatible with the following cameras:
From Sigma:
SIGMA 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM | Art F/CANON and SIGMA fittings are scheduled to start the shipment towards the middle of March.
SIGMA 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary F/CANON fittings are scheduled to start the shipment towards the middle to end of March.
B&H lists an expected availability date of March 20 for the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Art Lens and 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens for Canon.
Image quality results from the EOS 7D Mark II have been added to the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Lens review.
My preference between this lens and the Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens remains a toss-up. I have had each individually and the two together. I currently own both.
B&H has the Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM Lens in stock.
Image quality results from the EOS 7D Mark II have been added to the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Lens review.
Probably the most notable difference between the 7D II and the 1Ds Mark III is the crop sensor camera's reduced vignetting as a result of utilizing the center-most part of the image circle. Otherwise, image quality is impressively close wide open between the two bodies.
The world awaits the comparison between this lens and the just-announced Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens. This comparison will be a top priority once Sigma's newest "Art" lens lands in our hands.
B&H has the Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Lens in stock.
While trees that are full of leaves are quite attractive, they can block the view of many homes and buildings. As the cold weather sets in and deciduous trees lose their leaves, buildings typically blocked by foliage can be seen in their entirety. Use this time to capture views of buildings otherwise unobtainable when greenery dominates the frame.
Be sure to take advantage of winter breaks and other periods of desolation to avoid distracting elements in your architecture photos. The shot at the top of this post was taken at a local university during the school's winter break. Otherwise, cars and pedestrians would likely been in the frame when photographing the massive library. The shot below was taken on a Sunday morning when all the pictured and surrounding businesses were closed.
If snow is blanketing the ground, then buildings (or various man-made structures) can provide an excellent subject for your imagery. Snow can make rather mundane, uninspiring places look interesting. Take full advantage of freshly fallen snow by setting out early before the blank canvas has been disturbed by those having snowball fights or making snowmen.
And if the frigid conditions make outdoor photography less ideal for you, try photographing architectural interiors in the comfort of climate control. Personally, I like photographing interiors just after sunset so that the cool ambient light outside the windows is prominent.
Wide angle, ultra-wide angle and tilt-shift lenses will be your best bets when photographing architecture. All of the shots in this post (aside from the panorama) were taken with the Canon TS-E 24mm f/3.5L Tilt-Shift lens and a B+W circular polarizer. The panorama was captured using the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 IF ED UMC lens and my 360-degree panoramic setup.
In short, use the winter months to get a fresh, clean look at architecture – inside and out!
From the George Lepp for the Canon Professional Network:
"We’ve had the ability to capture time-lapse images with Canon EOS cameras for some time. What was needed was an interval timer to attach to the camera to fire it at a regulated interval. This interval could be as short as 1 second to as long as days. To do this, you needed to purchase an interval timer (intervolameter) and carry it with you. Canon’s answer for advanced DSLRs is the TC-80N3 Timer/Remote Controller. It has several functions beyond being an interval timer and is usually found in my camera bag. But there have been numerous times that I’ve been out photographing and didn’t have all my tools with me, including the TC-80N3, and I was out of luck when it came to time-lapses.See the entire article on the Canon Professional Network.The new Canon EOS 7D Mark II has the interval timer built into the camera. Access the 4th Red Menu on the camera’s LCD and follow the procedure below. You will have the option of setting the number of captures from 1 to 99 or set to “Unlimited.” The time between each exposure can be set from 1 second to 99 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds."
B&H carries the Canon EOS 7D Mark II.
Image quality results from the EOS 7D Mark II have been added to the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens review.
There is a reason that Canon is showing this lens mounted to the new Canon EOS 5Ds. This lens has the resolution needed to take advantage of high density sensors.
B&H has the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens in stock.
The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II Lens has just seen a significant price drop – $1,001.10, to be exact. The lens is now $5,647.90 with free expedited shipping.
From PocketWizard:
Latest TTL firmware update further expands extensive list of compatible cameras
February 20, 2015 – LPA Design, manufacturers of PocketWizard Photo Products, the world leader in wireless control of cameras, flash lighting and flash power control with Sekonic light meters, announces today a new update to its ControlTL firmware for both Nikon and Canon versions of its MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 radios. Firmware version 3.800 for Nikon includes compatibility with the recently released D750. Additionally, firmware version 6.800 for Canon now provides TTL compatibility with the Canon 7D Mk II. Any current owner of the ControlTL system can easily install this version via USB and update for free using the PocketWizard Utility. PocketWizard Utility version 1.54 or later is required before installing this update.
“This firmware release makes us compatible with most current Nikon and Canon DSLR cameras. Once we receive our pre-ordered Canon 5DS and 5DS R, our Engineers are geared up to get a firmware update out for these cameras as fast as possible,” said Heather Ambrose, Marketing Director at LPA Design, the company that manufacturers PocketWizard Photo Products.
For more information on how to update PocketWizard products via USB connection and to view current release notes for Nikon firmware update version 3.8 and Canon firmware version 6.8 visit: http://www.pocketwizard.com/support/downloads/
For a complete compatibility list, please visit:
http://wiki.pocketwizard.com/index.php?title=Canon_Compatibility
http://wiki.pocketwizard.com/index.php?title=Nikon_Compatibility
B&H carries PocketWizard products.
From Nikon:
This service provides software for upgrading Nikon 1 AW1 firmware to A:1.10 / B:1.10:
Updates included with this release
Download: Nikon 1 AW1 Firmware A:1.10 / B:1.10
From the Canon Professional Network:
"The EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R represent a new line of ultra high-resolution EOS DSLR cameras – featuring 50.6 Megapixel sensors – that are ideal for photographers who want to capture an extraordinary amount of detail in their images. The new cameras will be popular with those shooting landscape and architectural photography, as well as those shooting commercial or high-end editorial work in the studio. The EOS 5DS and EOS 5DS R sit alongside the EOS 5D Mark III in the EOS range, and use new technologies to make the most of both of the cameras’ high-resolution capabilities."Featured Segments
The article also contains two informational videos:
Check out the entire article on the Canon Professional Network.